Is 25:6-10a
Phil 4:12-14, 19-20
Mt 22:1-14

The Wedding Banquet

The readings for this Sunday provide images of the abundance of the Kingdom of God. In the first reading from the prophet Isaiah, the Lord’s goodness is evident in the symbol of a feast of good food and rich wine. The second reading speaks of how God provides for us in abundance. In the gospel, Jesus is once again telling a parable that is directed at the religious leaders of his day. In the parable of the wedding feast, Jesus offers an image of the Kingdom of Heaven using the symbol of a wedding banquet. The context for this parable is much the same as last Sunday’s gospel of the wicked tenants in the vineyard. It illustrates the growing tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem. 

Imagine what this banquet would be like. The king (God) is inviting you to the wedding celebration of his son (Jesus.) Some of the king’s friends refuse the invitation. Embarrassed and angry, the king sends out his servants {the prophets and priests) to invite others to the banquet. Again, there are refusals and some of the servants are mistreated. Since the banquet hall is not filled, the king sends out his servants to bring people in from the streets whether they are good or bad. Once the hall is filled, the king goes around to greet the quests. He finds one person dressed inappropriately. Imagine what you would think when you see this person in dirty jeans and a ragged Queen tee shirt. (Even in Jesus’ day, people were aware of certain requirements when invited to a wedding banquet.) This person immediately is thrown out from the banquet.

The message for us is clear. While many are invited to the Kingdom of Heaven, not everyone meets the requirements to enter. God invites everyone, good or bad, rich or poor, but before they can enter, they must ask forgiveness for all the times they did not become the people God created them to become. Hopefully, our image of heaven does not have some exclusivity to it. Remember that everyone – white, black, yellow, red, homosexuals, junkies, abusers, robbers, murders, etc., all are invited. No one is excluded from God’s invitation. It is up to each person to accept the invitation, even if it is at the last moment of life. Think of the “good thief” on the cross next to Jesus.

The goal for all of us is to live each day now as if it were our last. God is ready for us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but are we ready? The choice is ours to make each day. One of the lines from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians can be our guide: “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” With God’s love and presence with you at all times, choose the good!

Do I ever resent that God invites everyone, the good and the bad, to the banquet? If yes, how can I change that attitude?

How do I prepare to respond to God’s daily invitations to me?

I can do all things in him who strengthens me. I choose to accept God’s invitation!